“It’s your turn,” Hailey smirked as she lifted her head up to fix her eyes on Charlie’s.
Charlie was persistent, though. She guided Hailey’s body back and forth, as they both grew wetter and the friction was too much for Hailey; her body started to tremor, and Charlie’s eyes were on her breasts.
“Yes,” Charlie said in a short burst. “Right there,” she encouraged.
Hailey knew Charlie was close. Hailey was close too. And she held it back, until she felt Charlie’s hands grip her tighter and they ground against one another faster, until Hailey felt her orgasm take over. Her hips were moving on their own while her hands were pressed into the couch on either side of Charlie’s head. She wanted more, though, and while she listened as Charlie’s orgasm overtook her, she slid her hand between their legs and entered her, pressing her palm and hips down against her. Charlie let out a startled but grateful cry, as Hailey pushed her over the edge once, and then again, never allowing her to fully come down from the first one.
“God, Charlie,” Hailey muttered softly into Charlie’s ear, still lying on top of her minutes later. “I never knew it could be this good.” She pressed her lips to Charlie’s neck just below her ear.
“Neither did I,” Charlie concurred. “Stay over tonight.”
“Okay,” Hailey replied, exhausted. “Do you want to eat your dinner now?” She laughed into Charlie’s neck. “Or have you had your fill?” She laughed again.
Charlie laughed as well.
“Oh, trust me, I have not had my fill, but I think I will share my dinner with you. Then, maybe we can take a shower and watch something together before bed,” she suggested.
“That sounds pretty perfect.”
◆◆◆
Charlie woke up to the sounds of someone moving in her kitchen. She looked to her left and saw that Hailey wasn’t in bed. They’d fallen asleep late after eating dinner and watching a movie together, while Charlie lay across Hailey’s lap. They’d showered together, and as Charlie stood in front of Hailey, watching her standing under the rushing water with her head back, trying to get shampoo out of her hair, she wondered how her life could get any better. Sleep came easily after the long and surprising weekend. But then it was only 6 am, and Hailey wasn’t usually up this early. Charlie got out of bed, threw a pair of shorts on over the underwear she’d fallen asleep in, and headed to the kitchen.
Charlie watched as Hailey navigated her kitchen with ease. In fact, she stood in the doorway, leaning against it with her arms over her chest, watching Hailey slide in socks around on the hardwood, opening cabinets and pulling out items while she hummed something Charlie didn’t recognize. Hailey was wearing one of Charlie’s old t-shirts and her underwear.
“I’m going to be really cheesy right now and ask if this is heaven,” Charlie said after several moments of watching Hailey move around.
“Aren’t you a charmer?” she returned.
She only looked at Charlie over her shoulder and kept working. Charlie moved up behind her and wrapped her arms around Hailey’s waist.
“Good morning.” Charlie kissed her neck. “What are you doing in here?”
“Making you breakfast, for once,” Hailey replied. “Eggs and bacon.”
“I didn’t have eggs or bacon.” Charlie lifted her head up.
“Yes, but we live in a world where there are apps for that.”
“You had food delivered here?”
“Yes, at 5:30 in the morning. It cost extra, but it was worth it.”
Charlie held onto Hailey’s hips but stood back and allowed her to work. Eventually, they sat at the counter and shared the breakfast Hailey had prepared for them.
“This is great, Hails.”
“Hey, I noticed something last night,” Hailey said as she sipped on her coffee.
“Yeah? What’s that?”
“You fell asleep without the light on last night.”
Charlie looked at her with a piece of bacon hanging out of her mouth in surprise. Hailey laughed.
“I did?”
“Yes.” She laughed out. “I turned it on for you later, but you were out; and so was the light.”
Charlie finished the bacon and thought about that.
“I never fall asleep without the light on,” Charlie said mostly to herself.
“Which is why I’m bringing it up,” Hailey said and stood.
She placed her dishes in the sink and walked back around the counter to where Charlie was still sitting but wrapping up her breakfast.
“Do you think it means something?” Charlie asked.
Hailey brushed her hand across her cheek.
“I think, it means you’re happy.” She leaned in and pressed her lips to Charlie’s. “And I think, it means you feel safe.”
“I do,” Charlie said.
Hailey wiggled her eyebrows at her.
“Good. I have to go home and then rush to get to the office on time.”
“Okay,” Charlie said, and Hailey kissed her again.
“Hey.” Hailey turned around after walking toward the bedroom.
“Yes, Hails?”
“I’m kind of crazy about you.” She winked and didn’t wait for a response.
◆◆◆
“Okay. Before Charlie gets here, fill me in,” Ember requested as she sat down in front of Hailey at Sally’s. “Also, where is Charlie? Shouldn’t you two be glued to the hip, now that you’re officially together?”
“Didn’t you just get married? Shouldn’t you be glued to your wife’s side?” Hailey rolled her eyes at her friend.
“I am,” she said. “This may be the first time I’ve put on clothes in four days,” Ember replied.
“God!” Hailey laughed. “And Charlie had a conference call with Detroit this morning, so she said she’d just meet us here.”
“Did you stay there last night?” Ember asked and took a drink of her coffee.
“Yes.”
“And how is it?”
“The apartment?” Hailey asked, confused.
“Yes, Hailey. I want you to tell me all about the apartment I’ve been to a million times, and not about the fact that you and Charlie are together and having copious amounts of sex,” she returned sarcastically.
“Em, I’m not going to talk about our sex life,” Hailey told her.
“Why not? You’ve never had a problem telling me about it before.”
“Because Charlie’s not like that. When was the last time she talked to you about her sex life?”
“I don’t know.”
“She doesn’t do that. She’s private about stuff like that.”
“You never have been,” Ember pressed.
“It’s different this time.”
“Because Charlie doesn’t want you to talk about it?”
“Because I don’t want to. Because it’s something just between the two of us, and it’s amazing.”
“The sex?” Ember lifted an eyebrow.
“Yes, Em.” She rolled her eyes at her again. “That’s all you’ll get out of me about it too. It’s amazing. It’s the best-”
“Hey.” Charlie had been walking behind another customer, so Hailey hadn’t seen her until she was already at the table. “Hey, you,” she said to Hailey.
“Hi.” Hailey smiled.
“Okay. This isn’t fair now,” Ember said while Charlie sat next to Hailey and offered her a quick kiss.
“What isn’t fair now?” Charlie questioned.
“You two are together. Our no girls allowed rule doesn’t apply to you, but it still applies to me?” Ember questioned.
“Oh, I guess that’s true,” Hailey said. “I think she’s seeking our approval to invite Eva to our Thursday morning coffees,” she said to Charlie.
“Yes, I’d like to invite my wife to our coffees, now that you two are official.”
“Foursome?” Charlie seemed to consider. “I think we’ll allow it.”
“Yeah, we can allow that,” Hailey agreed.
> “You two are so annoying now; I doubt she’ll even want to come,” Ember said as she laughed.
◆◆◆
“You seem happy,” Lena said to Charlie.
“I am happy,” Charlie told her.
They’d met at The Lantern, a lesbian bar in the city, because Lena had struck out at the speed dating and was still hoping to find a lady. The Lantern was a regular bar, not a club, and was populated with a pretty standard mix of lesbian types for a Saturday night.
“It’s been like two weeks, right?”
“Yeah.” Charlie couldn’t help but smile.
“Don’t look now, but that woman is definitely checking you out,” Lena said, and Charlie didn’t look.
“So?”
“So, how is it they’re all looking at you? No offense. I’m the one that’s available and here specifically to meet someone, and I’m not even getting a glance.” She glared at Charlie. “You must be giving off that vibe that happens when people are in relationships. Other people are drawn to it or something.”
“Well, I am happy to direct any attention your way. I’m good with what I’ve got.”
“Hi.” A woman, wearing way too much makeup, approached and stood very close to Charlie, practically blocking Lena from view. “I’d like to buy you a drink,” she stated confidently.
“Oh, thanks, but no. I’m okay.” Charlie lifted her untouched wine.
She looked over the woman’s shoulder to Lena, as if to see if she wanted the drink, but Lena shook her head no.
“Hey.” Hailey walked up next to Charlie and observed how close the other woman was to her. “I swear, I do not remember you having girls all over you before we were dating. Did I miss that too?” she questioned and then leaned down to kiss Charlie on the lips.
“Sorry.” The woman turned and walked off.
“You sure you aren’t interested, Lena? I can probably get her back,” Charlie teased.
Hailey sat down next to her and leaned in, offering her a kiss on the cheek.
“You two are cute together.” Lena pointed between the two of them.
Hailey placed her arm over the back of Charlie’s chair.
“You’re possessive tonight,” Charlie joked.
“Well, I have Summer stripping in front of you and now women in bars are all over you, so I’ve got to do something,” Hailey replied.
“Summer stripped in front of you?” Lena asked. “Summer Taft, the one you almost hooked up with? The hot one?” She shook her head. “Why can’t I get someone like that to strip in front of me?”
“You can. They’re called strip clubs, Lena,” Charlie told her.
“You almost hooked up with Summer?” Hailey questioned and slid her arm away from Charlie’s chair. “When?”
“What?” Charlie turned to her.
“And that’s my cue to go get another drink.” Lena stood while mouthing the word ‘sorry’ to Charlie.
“When did you almost hook up with Summer?”
“Hails…”
“Charlie, when?”
“Hailey, it wasn’t like that. We didn’t almost hook up.”
“What happened then, because I’ve only heard about your friend Summer. I haven’t heard anything about the Summer you almost slept with.”
“Hailey?” Emma stood in front of their table.
“Jesus Christ!” Charlie exclaimed. “Of course, you’re here.”
“Sorry?” Emma said.
“Hey, I got you a gin and tonic.” Another woman approached and wrapped an automatic arm around Emma’s waist.
“Eli, this is Hailey, and that’s Charlie, her girlfriend.” Emma pointed at each of them. “This is Elizabeth, my girlfriend,” Emma introduced. “We just got here. I saw you and thought I’d come over, but I think I interrupted something.”
“I’m going to call it an early night,” Charlie said.
“It’s nice to meet you, Eli,” Hailey said and placed a hand onto Charlie’s thigh, as if to keep her there.
“You too,” Eli replied and looked at Emma. “So, this is your Hailey?”
“Yeah, this is the Hailey,” Emma replied with a blush on her cheeks that Charlie kind of wanted to smack off.
“That makes me sound important.”
“You were important,” Charlie stated and stood. “I’m going to get some air.”
Charlie walked past the bar, where Lena was talking to an attractive woman, and headed outside. She inhaled deeply and then exhaled again as she stood with her back against the wall.
“Okay, that was rude,” Hailey stated the moment she saw her.
“Hails…”
“No, Charlie. That was rude,” Hailey repeated. “I can’t believe you just acted like that. She introduced us to her girlfriend, and you freak out like I’m going home with her and not you.”
“I see her and I can’t-”
“Charlie, stop.” Hailey stood in front of her. “I mean, this is crazy. You know I love you.”
“I know.”
“So, what is it?”
“Now that I have you, Hails, I hate thinking of anyone else with you. I’m sorry. Seeing her blush when her girlfriend called you her Hailey just bothered me. I don’t think I’m ready to spend time with your ex-girlfriend and first love.”
“Okay. We don’t have to. I didn’t know they’d be here, Charlie. But are you planning on answering my question about Summer anytime soon?” Hailey pushed.
“Jesus, Hails. It was when I was in Detroit, okay? She’d just been dumped. We had a drink and then she wanted to meet Eddie, so she came to my room and-”
“And you almost fucked her?” Hailey using that word in this context made Charlie realize how serious the situation was now.
“No.” She reached for Hailey’s hand, but found her unwilling. “She kissed me. It didn’t go much further than that.”
“You kissed her back?”
“Yes.”
“And there was more?”
“We were on the bed, but nothing happened, Hailey.”
“Charlie, this was after you and I went on our first date,” she stated, clearly hurt.
“This was after you ran out on me, Hailey.”
“You ran out on me after the wedding. I didn’t go making out with some random woman,” Hailey argued. “You kissed someone else, Charlie. After…”
“Hails, we weren’t together then. I thought it was over. You didn’t want me.”
“I messed up, Charlie, but I never even thought of being with anyone else until I could figure out how to get past all my crap so that I could be with you.”
“And I didn’t think about being with Summer,” Charlie replied. “Let me go inside and tell Lena we’re taking off, and then we can go home and talk about this.”
“I think I need a night to myself. I’m going to stay at my place. I haven’t really been there the past two weeks anyway.”
“Hailey, don’t do this again. We talked about this. I told you I wouldn’t pull away, and you said it would be okay. You promised that night,” Charlie reminded her of the promise she’d made right before they’d made love for the first time.
“I’m not running away, Charlie, but I need the night, okay?” she asked. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Hailey walked off and Charlie let her, because she could tell that if she followed, it would do nothing for her case. She stood with her back against the wall and flung her head back, hitting brick hard enough to hurt and probably give her a headache for the rest of the night.
CHAPTER 26
“Where’d Hailey go?” Lena asked.
“Thanks for that Summer comment,” Charlie remarked. “She left. I’m going home. I just came back in here to let you know.”
“Shit. I’m sorry, Charlie. I didn’t mean to cause a problem.”
“It’s not your fault. I just have to go.”
“I understand,” Lena replied. “I really am sorry.”
“She’s upset because I kissed Summer.”
/>
“No, she’s not,” Lena began. “She’s upset because you kissed Summer after you kissed her.”
“It wasn’t like that.”
“I know. You gave me all the details. Did you give them to her though?”
“No. She just left and said she wants to be alone tonight.”
“Charlie, you two have got to stop doing this to each other.”
“Doing what?”
“You’re afraid of both being together and losing each other. Both of you,” Lena explained. “At some point, you’ll have to figure out which of those fears wins.”
◆◆◆
Hailey arrived home and threw herself onto her bed. She hadn’t slept in it since she and Charlie started dating. She’d only been home every few days to gather some things to take over there. As she lay face down, she wondered how exactly they’d ended up in this place again. It felt like just as they’d found their rhythm, they’d lost it again. This time, she couldn’t just blame herself, and she also couldn’t just blame Charlie. They’d both done it. Charlie continued to react to Emma, and Hailey couldn’t do anything about that. They shared a past. And yes, it was a great past, but she couldn’t go back and re-write. And even if she could, she wouldn’t.
Emma was at least in part responsible for the person Hailey was today, in that way that all first loves are responsible for their paramours. A heart broken in one way leads a person down a path, while a heart broken in another can alter someone’s life entirely. Emma altered Hailey’s life entirely. She gave her the courage to be herself with another and the courage to come out. She gave her a relationship filled with love and excitement, and it lasted over a year. When it ended, it made an indelible mark on each of them. Hailey couldn’t change that any more than she could change the color of her eyes.
Hailey couldn’t seem to get over this vision, appearing in her head, ever since Lena revealed that Charlie and Summer almost slept together. She pictured Summer naked underneath Charlie’s body, now well known to Hailey. Charlie’s hand was working between Summer’s legs, and their lips were connected. Hailey shook her head and yelled into the comforter of her bed. She knew she’d probably made a bigger deal out of it then it was. They hadn’t slept together. They’d kissed. Hailey had kissed Emma after she and Charlie went on their date. Why was she so bent out of shape that Charlie had kissed someone too?
Just Tell Her Page 30